The San Francisco County Board of Supervisors convened on July 4, 2025, to discuss two significant resolutions aimed at enhancing mental health services in the region. The meeting focused on authorizing the Department of Public Health (DPH) to enter into agreements that will facilitate ongoing collaboration and funding for critical behavioral health initiatives.

The first resolution allows DPH to continue its participation in the California Mental Health Services Authority programs through a joint powers agreement (JPA). This partnership, established in 2009, enables counties across California to collaborate on behavioral health projects, pooling resources and developing innovative strategies. Deputy Director for Behavioral Health Services, Marla Simmons, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, noting that it allows for more efficient use of public funds and the implementation of programs such as presumptive eligibility for foster care children and peer certification pilots.

The second resolution retroactively authorizes DPH to enter into a grant agreement with Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. for the construction of a new adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG). This facility, funded by a $33.7 million grant, will provide essential psychiatric care for youth aged 12 to 17 experiencing acute crises. Currently, there is only one adolescent inpatient unit in the city, making this new facility a critical addition to local mental health resources.

Both resolutions emphasize the city's commitment to improving mental health services and ensuring that facilities remain dedicated to their intended use for at least 30 years. The board's approval of these measures is seen as a vital step in addressing the growing mental health needs of San Francisco's youth and enhancing the overall behavioral health infrastructure in the county.